Upgrade for Oxfordshire Fire Engines

For the first time in Oxfordshire a fire engine's being fitted with new life-saving equipment to help people trapped in burning buildings or in car accidents.

The engine at Didcot will carry a defibrillator - a machine that gives the heart an electric shock in some cases of cardiac arrests.

The vehicle's being equipped with heavy rescue equipment for road and rail accidents, such as airbags for lifting and hydraulic tools with bespoke metal cutting ability te help with a wider range of rescues.

There's also a thermal imaging camera to help crews dealing with fires.

Watch Manager Jon Walker, from Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is a great day for the service with the launch of this multi-faceted rescue fire engine.

"Not only does this give us the tools and skills to provide a better service to the public, but also means that tax payers are getting far better value for money from their fire and rescue service."

The new vehicle will replace the current fire engine based at Didcot.

A fire engine at Banbury will be upgraded in the coming weeks to carry the same equipment, and the current specialist rescue unit in Kidlington, which already carries heavy rescue equipment, will be updated to carry an AED.

The three enhanced fire engines have been strategically placed to provide the best possible cover in the county.